Nozzle cap for trigger sprayer

ABSTRACT

A trigger actuated pump sprayer has a nozzle cap rotatable on the sprayer nozzle into one of four on and off positions. The cap is of a rectangular section having opposing pairs of flat walls which are grasped by the operator to facilitate cap rotation. 
     Ridges or flutes are provided along the adjoining edges of the walls to avoid slippage of the hand from the nozzle during rotation in either direction about its central axis. The nozzle is positively set in each of its on and off positions by a snap detent/cavity engagement between the pump body and the cap, or a protuberance/notch engagement between the cap and the pump body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a trigger operated pump sprayerhaving a nozzle cap which can be more positively and safely operatedwithout slippage, and which is capable of being more accurately setbetween rotative on and off positions to avoid leakage.

The present invention comprises an improvement over U.S. Pat. No.4,706,888, commonly owned herewith, and directed to a nozzle assemblyhaving a four-sided nozzle cap of rectangular cross-section, opposingpairs of flat walls respectively associated with off and on rotativepositions of the cap. Rotation in either direction about the centralaxis of the cap controls the nozzle between off and on positions.

As the cap is a relatively small part the operator oftentimes hasdifficulty in manipulating cap rotation, especially when that operatoris a person whose physical adroitness may be weak, or whose hands may bewet or damp or who may simply have a weak grip.

The user's fingers thus tend to slip off the nozzle cap upon rotation ineither direction. If the cap is not fully rotated to one of its onpositions, passages and grooves acting between the coaxial core and thecap skirt telescoped about that core remain mismatched such that thenozzle remains closed. As the user then further rotates the cap toassure positioning in the intended on position, the trigger may havealready been actuated such that the user's hand or some other bodyportion of the user becomes a spray target, which is totallyundesirable. Otherwise any residual liquid in the discharge passagewhich may have accumulated in the process of the earlier partial caprotation, could leak on to the hand of the user when the cap is againmore fully rotated to its on position.

Likewise during the process of rotating the nozzle cap between on andoff positions, should the cap not be completely rotated to one of itsoff positions, the passages and grooves acting between the coaxial coreand the telescoping skirt of the nozzle cap further remain mismatchedeven if ever so slightly. Thus should the spray package be tilted to itsside or should the trigger be nudged or inadvertently squeezed, theslight spray which may discharge from the nozzle, is undesirable.Moreover with the nozzle in less than a completely off position residualliquid in the discharge passage of the pump body could easily leak outthrough the orifice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a nozzlecap for a trigger sprayer which operates similarly as described in theU.S. Pat. No. 4,706,888 patent which avoids the aforestated drawbacks ina simple and economical yet highly effective manner.

The nozzle cap according to the invention has radially extending ridgesor flutes integrally formed along the four edges of the rectangular capto thereby minimize the tendency for slippage of the users fingers fromthe nozzle cap upon rotation between its on and off positions. Theridges provide stops in both directions against which the user's fingersbear upon cap rotation to thereby improve upon the grip of the cap forboth operators with diminished finger dexterity and for users with wet,damp or greasy fingers. Cap rotation to its appropriate on or offpositions is more accurately assured with the nozzle of the inventionthereby avoiding leakage of liquid product from the discharge orifice.

Further in accordance with the invention the nozzle cap and confrontingportion of the pump body have cooperating means for accurately andpositively setting the cap in each of its on and off positions upon caprotation. For this purpose a snap detent may be provided on the pumpbody and four detent receiving cavities may be provided on a confrontingwall of the nozzle cap for accurately setting the cap in one of its onor off positions. Cooperation between the detent and the selected cavityprovides an audible signal to the operator of the correct setting of thecap. Otherwise, small protuberances at each of the four on and offpositions of the cap may be provided for cooperation with one or moredepressions provided on the nozzle of the trigger sprayer pump bodygiving the operator a tactile signal on the correct setting of the cap.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a triggeractuated pump sprayer incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational front view of the trigger sprayer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the nozzle cap of FIG. 1, at anenlarged scale, showing details of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the nozzle cap of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the nozzle cap and a portion of theadjoining pump body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the nozzle cap of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views taken substantially along lines7--7 and 8--8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of the nozzlecap of the invention and an adjoining portion of the pump body, inexpanded view;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the nozzle cap and adjoining pumpbody portion of FIG. 9, in expanded view;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the FIG. 9 nozzle cap shown assembled tothe adjoining pump body portion;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 12--12 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of another embodiment of a nozzle capaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 of the FIG. 13 capaccurately set on the discharge nozzle of the pump body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer tolike and corresponding parts throughout the several views, a triggeractuated pump sprayer is generally designated 20 in FIG. 1 as comprisinga pump body 21 to which a container closure 22 is coupled for mountingthe sprayer to a container (not shown) of liquid to be sprayed. A diptube 23 is suspended from the pump body and extends into the container,and the pump body may be covered by a separate or integral shroud 24. Atrigger lever 25 is pivotally mounted to the pump body for actuating thepump piston (not shown) reciprocating in the pump cylinder (not shown)upon trigger actuation as known in this art.

The pump body has a discharge barrel defining a passage 26 whichterminates in a discharge nozzle 27.

A nozzle cap 28 is mounted on the end of the nozzle by a snap fiteffected between a rib on the nozzle and an internal groove on the cap,as shown. The cap is thereby rotatable about its central axis 29 withoutshifting along that axis.

As shown in FIG. 1 the cap has an internal sleeve 31 extending inwardlyalong axis 29 from an end wall 32 which contains a discharge orifice 33on axis 29. The pump body has a fixed coaxial core 34, and a plug 35 ismounted on the free end of the core and is assembled to the pump body insome normal manner as to resist rotation about axis 29 upon caprotation. The plug has longitudinally extending grooves terminating inradial/tangential channels which open into a spin chamber, the channelsand spin chamber being located either at the terminal end of plug 35 orbeing formed in the confronting end wall 32 of the nozzle cap. The innerwall of sleeve 31 which telescopes about plug 35 has a plurality ofpassages which, upon rotation of the cap match with the longitudinalpassages in predetermined on positions of the nozzle. A mismatch betweenthe grooves and the passages upon cap rotation effects an off positionof the nozzle.

The details of the spray nozzle operation upon cap rotation arespecifically disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,888patent and are not repeated here. The entirety of the disclosure of thatU.S. Pat. No. 4,706,888 patent is therefore specifically incorporatedherein by reference.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, nozzle cap 28 is of rectangularcross-section formed of four flat walls such as a first pair of opposingwalls 36, 37, and a second pair of opposing walls 38, 39. The flat wallsmay be parallel to central axis 29, or may slope downwardly toward thataxis in a forward direction, as shown.

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of ridges orflutes 41, 42, 43, 44 are provided along the adjoining edges of thewalls forming the nozzle cap. The ridges each extend radially outwardlyand continuously from a rearward end of the cap toward the forward endof the cap but terminate slightly from end wall 32, as shown in FIG. 3.Each of the ridges slope downwardly toward the central axis of the capfrom the rearward to the forward ends thereof. A typical ridge isclearly shown in FIG. 8 as terminating a short distance from end wall32. And the forward ends of the flat walls are curved as typically shownat 45 for wall 38 in FIG. 3 so as to blend in smoothly with the upperedges of the associated ridges 41, 44, the ridges blending smoothly withtheir respective flat walls as at 46, 47 (FIG. 4) such that the opposingpairs of outer walls of the nozzle cap each are contoured to the user'sfingers which grasp those walls in pairs as to facilitate cap rotation.

The nozzle cap may likewise have a peripheral flange 48 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4)forming a rearward wall of the nozzle cap (FIG. 6), the flange lyingperpendicular to the central axis 29 of the cap. The flange isessentially rectangular in plan view with rounded corners and forms aback wall for each of the ridges from which the ridges extend. Moreover,the nozzle cap is of a one-piece molded plastic construction.

Indicia may be provided on the front face of the peripheral flange, suchas OFF, SPRAY, STREAM, or ON (not shown), as shown in FIG. 4, associatedwith the two off modes and the two on modes of the nozzle assembly.Otherwise indicia such as STOP (FIG. 5) may be provided on the outersurfaces of walls 36, 37, and indicia such as a spray pattern symbol(FIGS. 9, 10) may be provided on the outer surfaces of walls 38, 39, forrespectively indicating the two on and the two off modes of the nozzleassembly.

Also indicia such as a small triangle 49 (FIG. 5), with mirror imagesmall triangles 51 on the centerline of each outer edge 52 of peripheralwall 48 may be provided for readily indicating to the operator aparticular off or on position of the nozzle cap upon rotation. When thepoints of the triangles (or other similar indicia) coincide, as shown inFIG. 5, the operator is assured that the nozzle is turned completelyoff, or completely on as when the nozzle is rotated to one of its onpositions.

In operation, the operator grasps a first opposing pair of flat sidewalls 36, 37 or 38, 39 of the nozzle cap, in any normal manner as withthe thumb and forefinger, from the front of the sprayer to adjust thenozzle setting. The opposing side walls are substantially contoured tothe thumb and forefinger by reason of the specific structure of cap 28as aforedescribed.

The operator thus applies a rotative force in either direction whereuponthe thumb and forefinger tend to shift in that rotative direction untillimited by one of the pairs 41, 44 or 44, 43 or 43, 42 or 42, 41 of theridges formed integrally as part of the nozzle cap. The operator's handis thus less likely to slip when turning the nozzle cap, and less fingerpressure against the opposing walls of the cap is required. The cap istherefore rotatable with less effort, more quickly and securely and withless regard to the condition or strength of the user's hands.

Also, the peripheral flange 48 serves to limit the extent of anyslippage of the operator's fingers along axis 29 during cap rotation.The flange further serves as an indicia carrier as aforedescribed.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, means for accurately setting the nozzle capin each of its four rotative on and off positions is shown as providedin one embodiment by a spring-biased snap detent 53 located on the topside of nozzle 27 of the pump body in alignment with triangular indicia49. On the back side of peripheral wall of flange 48 there are providedfour detent receiving cavities 54 respectively in alignment withtriangular indicia 51 located on the center lines of outer edges 52 offlange 48. Thus each cavity 54 is associated with one of the flat wallsof the nozzle cap which is in turn associated with one of the four onand off positions.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the nozzle cap is shown accurately set inone of its off or stop positions as spring biased detent 53 engages withcavity 54 associated with that stop or off position. Indices 51, 49 arealigned in such position to inform to the operator that the nozzle is ina completely off position thereby avoiding any leakage of product fromorifice 33.

The nozzle cap is shifted to one of its on positions upon rotation ofthe cap about axis 29 through 90° in either direction. In the process ofcap rotation, cavity 54 is moved in along a circumferential path awayfrom detent 53 such that the dent simply slides against the smoothsurface of the back of flange 48 until one of the two on positions isreached. At that position detent 53 extends into its confronting cavity54. As the detent shifts from its abutment against smooth wall of flange48 to its extension into the confronting cavity 54, a "snap" is audibleto the operator by reason of the sharp outer edges of the cavity. The"snap" or the "click" heard by the operator confirms that the nozzle capis set in its intended on position and will not stray from that positionuntil positively rotated by the operator.

In lieu of a snap detent 53/cavity 54 engagement of FIGS. 9 to 12, atactile setting arrangement can be provided such that the operatorsimply senses by feel that the nozzle cap is in one of its four setpositions upon rotation. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cap isprovided with small inwardly extending bosses or protuberances 55respectively associated with triangles 51 on flange 48. An opposing pairof the protuberances as shown (or at least one) extend into small matingnotches or depressions 56 formed in the outer surface of nozzle 27. Thusupon cap rotation from one of the off positions to one of the onpositions, a tactile impression is made as the operator senses theengagement between bosses 55 and notches 56 as the cap reaches one ofits four intended set positions.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the trigger sprayer has a nozzlecap which can be more easily operated without slippage and which isaccurately and quickly set in one of its four on/off positions by anaudio or tactile impression. When positively set in one of the two offpositions, there is less tendency for leakage of product from theorifice.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare made possible in the light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trigger actuated pump sprayer comprising, apump body and closure means coupled thereto for attaching the sprayer toa container of liquid to be dispensed, the body having a dischargepassage terminating in a nozzle at a forward end of the sprayer, anozzle cap mounted on said nozzle for rotation without axial movementbetween on and off positions about a central axis of said cap coaxialwith said passage, the cap having a discharge orifice on said centralaxis, and the cap having a first pair of opposing flat walls and asecond pair of opposing flat walls, said first and second pairs of wallsbeing joined along opposing edges of the walls to define four corners ofa rectangular body extending in a direction along said central axis, theimprovement wherein at least one ridge integral with said cap isprovided along one of said corners extending from a rearward end towarda forward end of said cap and extending radially outwardly relative tosaid central axis, said at least one ridge decreasing in height fromsaid rearward end toward said forward end, and said at least one ridgedefining anti-slippage means on said nozzle cap during rotation in onedirection or another about said central axis by an operator graspingsaid first pair of opposing walls or said second pair of opposing wallsas said at least one ridge provides a limit stop against which theoperator's fingers bear upon rotation in said one or said anotherdirection.
 2. The trigger actuated pump sprayer according to claim 1,wherein said one ridge is provided along each of said corners, each saidridge providing limit stops against which the operator's fingers bearupon rotation in said one or said other direction.
 3. The triggeractuated pump sprayer according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle capfurther has a peripheral rectangular flange extending radially outwardlyof said walls at the rearward end of said cap integral with said ridge,said flange defining limit stops in an axial direction of said cap whengrasping said first or said second pair of walls.
 4. The triggeractuated pump sprayer according to claim 2, wherein said nozzle cap hasa peripheral rectangular flange extending radially outwardly of saidwalls at the rearward end of said cap integral with each said ridge,said flange defining limit stops in an axial direction of said cap whengrasping said first or said second pair of walls.
 5. The triggeractuated pump sprayer according to claim 3, wherein indicia is providedon front portions of said flange at each of said walls to identify thespray position of the cap upon rotation.
 6. The trigger actuated pumpsprayer according to claim 4, wherein indicia is provided on frontportions of said flange at each of said walls to identify the sprayposition of the cap upon rotation.
 7. A manually actuated triggersprayer having a pump body and a closure cap coupled thereto formounting the sprayer to the neck of a container of liquid product to bedispensed, the pump body having a liquid discharge barrel terminating ina discharge nozzle, a nozzle cap mounted on said nozzle for rotationabout the central axis thereof without axial displacement between on andoff positions, the nozzle cap being of rectangular cross-section havingfour flat side walls, the improvement wherein cooperating means areprovided on said body and said cap for accurately and positively settingsaid cap in said on and off positions upon the rotation of the cap, andwherein at least one ridge integral with said cap is located along oneof four corners of adjoining pairs of said four walls, said at least oneridge extending from a rearward end to a forward end of said cap andextending radially outwardly relative to a central axis of said cap,said at least one ridge decreasing in height from said rearward endtoward said forward end, and said at least one ridge defininganti-slippage means on said nozzle cap to provide a limit stop againstwhich an operator's fingers bear upon rotation of said cap between saidon and off positions.
 8. The manually actuated trigger sprayer accordingto claim 7, wherein said nozzle cap further has a peripheral flange atsaid rearward end thereof extending radially outwardly of said flatwalls for providing stops in an axial direction for the fingers of theoperator when grasping said flat walls.
 9. The trigger actuated pumpsprayer according to claim 7, wherein said cooperating means areprovided on a rear face of said cap and on said discharge barrel. 10.The trigger actuated pump sprayer according to 8, wherein detent meansare provided on said body and four cavities are provided on a back wallof said flange associated with said on and off positions selectivelyreceiving said detent for accurately setting said nozzle cap upon caprotation.
 11. The trigger actuated pump sprayer according to claim 10,wherein said detent means are spring-biased.
 12. The manually actuatedtrigger sprayer according to claim 7, wherein said cooperating meanscomprise a snap detent on one of said body and said cap and detentreceiving cavities on the other of said body and said cap, said cavitiesbeing associated with each of said on and off positions for providing anaudible signal when the cap is accurately set in one of its rotativepositions.
 13. The manually actuated trigger sprayer according to claim7, wherein said cooperating means comprise shallow cavities associatedwith each of said on and off positions and a shallow detent extendinginto one of said cavities for providing a tactile indication of theaccurate setting of the cap in its selected rotative position.
 14. Atrigger actuated pump sprayer comprising, a pump body and closure meanscoupled thereto for attaching the sprayer to a container of liquid to bedispensed, the body having a discharge passage terminating in a nozzleat a forward end of the sprayer, a nozzle cap mounted on said nozzle forrotation without axial movement between on and off positions about acentral axis of said cap coaxial with said passage, the cap having adischarge orifice on said central axis, and the cap having a first pairof opposing flat walls and a second pair of opposing flat walls, saidfirst and second pairs of walls being joined along opposing edges of thewalls to define four corners of a rectangular body extending in adirection along said central axis, the improvement wherein at least oneridge integral with said cap is provided along one of said cornersextending from a rearward end toward a forward end of said cap andextending radially outwardly relative to said central axis, said atleast one ridge decreasing in height from said rearward end toward saidforward end, said at least one ridge defining anti-slippage means onsaid nozzle cap during rotation in one direction or another about saidcentral axis by an operator grasping said first pair of opposing wallsor said second pair of opposing walls as said at least one ridgeprovides a limit stop against which the operator's fingers bear uponrotation in said one or said another direction, and indicia provided onan outer wall of said pump body and matching indicia provided on saidcap at each of said walls to assist in accurately identifying thecondition of the sprayer upon cap rotation.
 15. The trigger actuatedpump sprayer according to claim 14, wherein said setting means comprisea spring-biased detent on one of said pump body and said nozzle cap andfour cavities associated with said four positions on the other of saidpump body and said nozzle cap for selectively receiving said detent uponcap rotation.
 16. A trigger actuated pump sprayer comprising, a pumpbody and closure means coupled thereto for attaching the sprayer to acontainer of liquid to be dispensed, the body having a discharge passageterminating in a nozzle at a forward end of the sprayer, a nozzle capmounted on said nozzle for rotation without axial movement between onand off positions about a central axis of said cap coaxial with saidpassage, the cap having a discharge orifice on said central axis, andthe cap having a first pair of opposing flat walls and a second pair ofopposing flat walls, said first and second pairs of walls being joinedalong opposing edges of the walls to define four comers of a rectangularbody extending in a direction along said central axis, the improvementwherein at least one ridge integral with said cap is provided along oneof said corners extending from a rearward end toward a forward end ofsaid cap and extending radially outwardly relative to said central axis,said at least one ridge decreasing in height from said rearward endtoward said forward end, said at least one ridge defining anti-slippagemeans on said nozzle cap during rotation in one direction or anotherabout said central axis by an operator grasping said first pair ofopposing walls or said second pair of opposing walls as said at leastone ridge provides a limit stop against which the operator's fingersbear upon rotation in said one or said another direction, and meansacting between confronting portions of said nozzle cap and said pumpbody for accurately setting said cap in each of four predeterminedrotative positions.
 17. The trigger actuated pump sprayer according toclaim 16, wherein said setting means comprise a spring-biased snapdetent and four snap recesses associated with said four positions on oneof said pump body and said nozzle cap for providing an audible signalwhen the cap is accurately set in one of its four rotative positions.18. The trigger actuated pump sprayer according to claim 16, whereinsaid setting means comprise four detent receiving cavities associatedwith said four positions and a cooperating detent for providing atactile indication of the accurate setting of the cap in one of its fourrotative positions.